Quest Diagnostics to Develop Multi-cancer Stratification (MCaST) Blood Test Based on MD Anderson Technology

Rhea-AI Summary

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) has announced a collaboration with MD Anderson Cancer Center to develop a novel Multi-cancer Stratification Test (MCaST) blood test. The test will assess elevated risk for multiple cancers including colorectal, lung, breast, pancreatic, ovarian, liver, prostate, esophageal and stomach cancers. Based on technology developed by Dr. Samir Hanash's team at MD Anderson, the test uses circulating protein biomarkers and was validated through extensive clinical research involving tens of thousands of individuals. Quest plans to commercialize the test in North America by 2026, positioning it as a supplement to conventional screening methods. The test aims to provide a more accessible, affordable alternative to current screening methods, addressing the concerning statistic that only 51% of U.S. adults undergo routine medical appointments or cancer screenings annually.

Positive

• Development of an innovative blood test capable of screening for multiple types of cancer simultaneously
• Partnership with prestigious MD Anderson Cancer Center provides strong scientific backing
• Potential commercialization in North America by 2026 opens new market opportunities
• Test aims to be more affordable and accessible than current multi-cancer early detection methods
• Addresses a significant market need with only 51% of U.S. adults receiving routine cancer screenings

Negative

• Test will only supplement, not replace, conventional screening methods
• Commercial launch not expected until 2026, pending successful validation
• Success of test validation and commercialization not guaranteed

Insights

Oncology Diagnostics Specialist

Quest's new blood test targeting multiple cancers could significantly expand their diagnostic portfolio and address major screening gaps by 2026.

Quest Diagnostics' collaboration with MD Anderson represents a strategic expansion into the growing field of cancer risk assessment. The Multi-cancer Stratification Test (MCaST) technology has impressive credentials, developed through extensive clinical research involving tens of thousands of individuals. What makes this approach particularly valuable is its focus on circulating protein biomarkers rather than circulating tumor DNA used in other liquid biopsies.

This test addresses critical gaps in current cancer screening: conventional methods are invasive, costly, and target single cancers, while existing multi-cancer early detection tests are expensive and lack established follow-up protocols. The statistic that only 51% of U.S. adults undergo routine medical appointments or cancer screenings highlights the substantial market opportunity.

Importantly, Quest is positioning this as a risk stratification tool to identify patients who would benefit from appropriate screening - not as a diagnostic replacement. This approach is medically sound and likely to face fewer regulatory hurdles than a direct diagnostic would. The timeline for commercialization in North America by 2026 is realistic given the development and validation process required.

For Quest, this represents an opportunity to leverage their extensive laboratory network and patient access to capture market share in a segment with significant growth potential, especially for traditionally difficult-to-detect cancers like pancreatic, which have devastating mortality rates when found late.

SECAUCUS, N.J., June 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), a leading provider of diagnostic information services, today announced a collaboration with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MD Anderson) designed to improve the assessment of elevated risk of cancer in individuals who would benefit from medically appropriate cancer screenings. 

Under terms of the agreement, Quest will develop and validate a laboratory-developed blood test based on circulating protein biomarkers associated with high risk for one or more cancers, including colorectal, lung, breast, pancreatic, ovarian, liver, prostate, esophageal and stomach. Quest will base the test on a developmental license to technology and intellectual property associated with the Multi-Cancer Stratification Test (MCaST), a cohesive risk model developed by the laboratory of Samir Hanash, M.D., Ph.D., at MD Anderson. Dr. Hanash and his team identified a set of biomarkers that inform the model through extensive clinical research conducted on screening study cohorts involving tens of thousands of individuals. Quest plans to refine and further develop and validate the MCaST technology for its own lab-developed test.

Assuming successful test validation, the parties may agree for Quest to exercise rights to commercialize the test, with the goal to make it available to providers in North America in 2026. 

Quest expects the future test will supplement, not replace, conventional screening methods, by providing insights to help providers identify patients that would benefit from medically appropriate screening or other forms of evaluation. Conventional screening methods target a limited number of cancers and only one at a time, often with invasive or costly procedures that patients resist. While multi-cancer early detection (MCED) liquid biopsy tests that detect cancer DNA in circulating blood are convenient, they are comparatively expensive, not intended to personalize risk, and may lack well-established protocols for clinical follow-up.

Only 51% of U.S. adults say they have had a routine medical appointment or routine cancer screening in the last year.

"One of the biggest problems in cancer care today is patients skipping preventive screenings because the methods are too invasive, inconvenient or unaffordable," said Mark Gardner, senior vice president, Oncology, Genomics and R&D, Quest Diagnostics. "Another huge problem is a lack of tests for infrequent, but often deadly cancers, like pancreatic cancer. Building on proteomics discoveries from Dr. Hanash and his team, Quest intends to create a simple blood test anyone can conveniently access and reasonably afford to identify risk of a range of cancers. A patient identified with elevated risk may be more inclined to pursue preventive cancer screening or other medical assessments that could identify cancer in early, more treatable stages of disease."

About Quest Diagnostics 
Quest Diagnostics works across the healthcare ecosystem to create a healthier world, one life at a time. We provide diagnostic insights from the results of our laboratory testing to empower people, physicians and organizations to take action to improve health outcomes. Derived from one of the world's largest databases of de-identifiable clinical lab results, Quest's diagnostic insights reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, inspire healthy behaviors and improve healthcare management. Quest Diagnostics annually serves one in three adult Americans and half the physicians and hospitals in the United States, and our more than 55,000 employees understand that, in the right hands and with the right context, our diagnostic insights can inspire actions that transform lives and create a healthier world. www.QuestDiagnostics.com.

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SOURCE Quest Diagnostics

FAQ

What is Quest Diagnostics' new MCaST blood test designed to do?

Quest's MCaST blood test is designed to assess elevated risk for multiple types of cancer including colorectal, lung, breast, pancreatic, ovarian, liver, prostate, esophageal and stomach cancers through a simple blood test.

When will Quest Diagnostics (DGX) launch the MCaST cancer screening test?

Quest Diagnostics plans to launch the MCaST cancer screening test in North America in 2026, pending successful test validation.

How is Quest's MCaST test different from current cancer screening methods?

The MCaST test offers a simple blood test that screens for multiple cancers simultaneously, aiming to be more affordable and convenient than conventional screening methods or current multi-cancer early detection liquid biopsy tests.

Who is Quest Diagnostics partnering with for the MCaST test development?

Quest Diagnostics is partnering with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, specifically utilizing technology developed by Dr. Samir Hanash's laboratory.

What percentage of U.S. adults currently get routine cancer screenings?

According to the press release, only 51% of U.S. adults report having had a routine medical appointment or routine cancer screening in the last year.